Midland Mayor, Sen. Stabenow highlight local collaborations

Published
9:03 am EST, Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Collaboration and opportunity were the emphasis of Midland Mayor Maureen Donker’s State of the City address on Wednesday. She was joined by U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow at the Midland Area Chamber of Commerce event.

Donker highlighted numerous business expansions and collaborative efforts in the community while addressing the City of Midland’s financial reality. The city faces multi-million dollar budget cuts again this year.

“We all want to ensure the exceptional quality of life continues in Midland,” she said, noting no solutions will be found without working with others. “We are better together.”

Stabenow said Midland and the region have been leading the way in economic recovery in Michigan and are an example to the nation of how the advanced manufacturing tax credits have spurred private investment and created jobs.

“The great thing about us, about Michigan, is we don’t give up,” she said. “Times have been tough, but so are we.”

Stabenow said there’s no reason the state can’t lead the country in advanced manufacturing for alternative energy, autos and agriculture.